BBC Studios confirms that the ever popular daytime crime drama Father Brown will return for an eleventh series with filming starting in the Cotswolds.

Mark Williams returns as the crime busting priest with guest cast including Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who, The Hobbit), Ingrid Oliver (Watson and Oliver, Doctor Who), Ian Gelder (Game of Thrones, His Dark Materials) and John Light (Around the World in 80 Days, Murder in Provence).

Lorna Watson will also return as Sister Boniface, reuniting the fan favourite crime solving duo.

Head of Daytime and Early Peak, Rob Unsworth says: “Father Brown continues to bring in a dedicated audience on BBC daytime and iPlayer as well as legions of fans across the world. We’re thrilled to be bringing more of his adventures to screen in the eleventh series.”

Executive Producer Neil Irvine says: “After the warm reception and huge success of our tenth anniversary, we’re delighted to begin filming series eleven of Father Brown. This series we welcome another high calibre of guest cast in Sylvester McCoy, Ingrid Oliver, Ian Gelder and John Light as well as the brilliant Lorna Watson returning as Sister Boniface. Viewers can expect 10 episodes of twists, turns and unpredictable whodunnits to keep them guessing.”

Mark Williams says: “It’s an honour to be returning to Father Brown for an eleventh series of warmth, drama and humour, as well as sleuthing with my partners in crime solving. It’s also always a treat to film in the beautiful Cotswolds.”

Series 11 picks up in 1955 where Chief Inspector Sullivan (Tom Chambers) and Mrs Devine (Claudie Blakley) have grown closer since we saw them last. Something which hasn’t escaped the notice of Father Brown (Mark Williams) and Brenda (Ruby-May Martinwood).

With a food fayre to die for, a real life crime at a crime writing festival and a village rivalry that turns deadly at the local Olimpicks, there’s plenty for the gang to be busy with. Father Brown and Sister Boniface become embroiled in a murder at an arts and crafts fair, while Brenda takes a trip in time to face ghosts from her past when an old friend, Dr McClurgy (Sylvester McCoy), reaches out. Meanwhile Father Brown’s frenemy Flambeau (John Light) returns with his estranged father, Gabriel (Ian Gelder), in tow and a dangerous mission in mind...

Father Brown’s tenth series recently concluded on screen and averaged 2.3 million viewers making it the year’s biggest daytime drama to date. Father Brown, which first aired on BBC daytime in 2013, is a global success, broadcasting in over 232 territories around the world.

Father Brown is produced by BBC Studios Continuing Drama Productions Birmingham. The Script Producer is Dawn-Coulson Beckett, the Line Producer is Michelle Brown, the Series Producer is Seán Gleeson and the Executive Producer is Neil Irvine. Helen Munson is the Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime.

Father Brown series 11 will air on BBC One early next year.